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I'm no stranger to traveling. I've been here and there. I've been on road trips, joined bus trips, and even shared cross atlantic flight trips. I've seen the world and I count my lucky stars each time I break out my suitcase for a new destination.

I thought I had a pretty good grasp on traveling before this adventure. I had some basic skills and traits that did help me, yet, not in the ways I thought. But man was I not prepared for the traveler I'd become as a part of this trip. Maybe it's the safety of knowing often when I travelled, I wasn't alone. It was the comfort of feeling like if I'm being a complete fool, other people are nearby and can be foolish with me. Maybe it was the security of being in the same continent as family and friends. Maybe it was knowing that no matter what, I knew someone I could call if I needed them.

I came into this experience with the sense that I'd grow as a person, a professional, and yeah sure, a traveller too. I had no idea just how much traveller growth was in store for me during this adventure.

I'm not talking about packing skills traveling (though I've certainly become more of a strategic packer with cool gadgets and an arsenal of bags). I'm not talking about checking things off a list of places I've been to (though I am guilty of that too).

I'm talking about real traveling. The type of traveling where you dive into every experience, embrace the joy of not knowing or having a set plan, try new things like staying in hostels, fake boldness when eating at a restaurant alone, walk forward confidently when you literally have no idea what you're doing, and surprise yourself in the process.

I'm talking about traveling where you just figure it out. I'm talking about traveling where you pretend you know what you're doing. I'm talking about self discovery, personal challenges, hilariously awkward stories, and moments that make the man (well, the woman).

I'm talking about traveling alone. Meeting people. Making plans. Getting to know that each day is different, yet uniquely familiar. I'm talking about going somewhere where you don't know a soul, and learning that each person you interact with as a potential new friend or someone you'll never see again. I'm talking about learning to trust your gut, find your people, and make things happen.

I'm talking about being part of the journey. I'm talking about savoring the destination. I didn't know what I was getting into when I started, but I'm so glad that I had the experience.

So yeah, maybe I'm a more experienced traveller than I realized I could be as part of this journey. Maybe I'm not afraid to stay at a hostel or eat dinner alone. Maybe I've figured out the science to getting around with different transportation systems. Maybe I've changed traveling. And maybe traveling has changed me. All I can say is that if this is what it feels like to be a more experienced traveller, then sign me up again. Because I'm happy to embrace the next journey, no matter the destination.

I've learned a lot on this adventure. Much of these nuggets of wisdom are things that have changed how I view higher education and the world. However, some of these moments of awkwardness did not teach me lessons that I could have learned at a meeting or training. Instead, they are moments where I hope that no one was looking or listening to me make a fool of myself...

Roasted chestnut incident:During my adventure in Sydney, I came across a street vendor selling roasted chestnuts. I was extremely excited to buy a bag and try them, since I had always related them to winter because of classic Christmas songs. Well, to say the least, it wasn't what I expected. Here were some of the nuggets of wisdom I took away from this moment of awkwardness.

Apparently, you take the shell off the chestnut before eating it.

The shell tastes disgusting and is really crunchy.

Chestnuts are not yummy. They are gross. Even without the shells.

Always look around and make sure no one saw you before you pretend to sneeze and spit the chestnut into a napkin.

Why can't roasted chestnuts be like sugared almonds that you get from street vendors?

Who would even eat these and like them enough to write a song about them?

Coffee pot conundrum: One of my first weeks here, I wanted to try the fancy office coffee pot that looked like a higher tech Keurig. After procuring a little coffee pod thing from my coworker (who was nice enough to give me one), I set off to make my cup of coffee. Here are the lessons I learned while panicking because I thought I broke the coffee pot.

Be advised that there is a little bucket at the bottom of the coffee pot where you put in the tiny pod to make your coffee. It's like a little built in trash can for these pods.

Removing your little pod after use is not necessary. Unlike Keurigs, you can stock up on used pods in your machine and wait to remove them.

Attempting to remove them and awkwardly googling it on your phone may not always be the best way to solve your problem.

Be careful when trying to open the little built in bucket to throw away the pod, it's easy to be loud and draw attention to yourself.

Your coworkers can usually tell when you're awkwardly trying to return to your desk after doing something that makes you feel stupid...

Your coworkers will find significant enjoyment and humor upon learning that you thought you broke the coffeepot because you thought your pod was stuck in it and you tried to rescue your pod.

Just ask someone how to use the coffee pot first to avoid incidents like this.

Drinking that coffee you struggled for is the best feeling because, dang it, you earned it.

Spicy Food Scene: One day before taking the train back to Melbourne, I stopped at a restaurant to grab something and take it with me to the station. I had never been to this place before, and I wasn't sure what I was ordering. I picked a rice dish with vegetables. After grabbing my food and waiting at the station for my train, I started to eat my mystery dish. It was great for the first few minutes, then...disaster struck. I have no idea what kind of spices they put into the dish, but I bit into one particularly spicy green bean and I almost spit my food across the platform. Here's what I learned in that moment of panic.

If you act like nothing happened it makes it easier to fool people into thinking you're not in panic mode.

Eating spice-infused green beans is a great palate cleanser.

You will not die from eating spicy food, even if you think you will.

Speed walking to the nearest vending machine to buy another water is never graceful.

Your life flashes before your eyes when you unsuspectingly eat spicy green beans.

Casually leaving your spot to go to another restaurant to get some not spicy food is easy when you pretend to go to the bathroom is easier than you think.

You should always ask how spicy fancy rice dishes are before subjecting yourself to panic-infused and slightly comical episodes at a train station platform.

I've always wanted to live abroad. Some part of me has always known that going abroad would help me discover myself, work towards my dreams, and give me the tools to be successful.

I've heard that people who live abroad are known as better employees because they try to new things and are adaptable. I like to think that's true. Living abroad isn't always easy, but it is worth it.

Living in Australia hasn't been what I expected, but in a good way. I didn't really have any set expectations, and that helped me. I think if I came in with rigid expectations, I would have forgotten to smell the roses along the journey.

Australians are kind. They're funny. They love coffee. They're obsessed with cooking shows. Their commitment to sports and working out makes me feel like I've got a lot to learn (and miles to run). They travel everywhere. They take super cool vacations. They eat great food. They unabashedly ask about American politics. They have a great accent. They live in a beautiful country bustling with interesting and exciting people. They value history and tradition. They're by no means perfect, none of us are, but they have a way of life that makes you feel welcomed and supported. They want you to succeed here and they want to tell you about Australia. It's infectious to be in a place where everyone loves the world around them and the experiences they have. From the bustling cities to country towns, Australians know how to make you feel appreciated.

I'm very lucky to have supportive staff and coworkers who have helped me be successful. From rides to the grocery store to tips about using public transport, they've been there when I needed them. They have shared their stories, told me about their lives, and helped me see the world differently.

So, yeah. Living abroad isn't what I expected. My Aussie journey has been full of moments I'll treasure, moments I'll laugh at one day (see my upcoming Awkwardly Australian post), moments I'll always remember, people I'll keep in touch with, people who made me smile, professional experiences I'm proud of, professional experiences I never thought I'd get, and adventures that have made a difference in who I am today.

If this journey has taught me anything, it's that we should make the most from each day, because it has so many lessons to each us.

FedUni organizes an orientation for international students and I was able to shadow the sessions. This was exciting because I joined Connie, a new intern in the office. She and I participated in some of the activities and even traveled to the Ballarat Wildlife Park! I was so excited for the chance to meet a koala (see below) and spend time in such an exciting place. This was a great way to spend some of my last days in Australia. It's bittersweet that things are ending, but with a day like today and a chance to meet some koalas, it has been so incredibly worth it.

Working abroad has an almost magical appeal. Here you are in, a foreign and beautiful land where people want to pay you to spend time working and experiencing the culture and environment.

But, it's not all fun and games, as much as you want it to be. For some, myself included, you must find balance between the traveling adventures abroad, and the professional experiences you have at work.

The first thing I realized is that working is truly my priority. At the end of the day, I came here in a professional capacity to get a professional experience that will help me succeed. That is not to say I don't want the traveling and adventuring part. I just needed to find balance.

In my own quest towards balance, I realized that so many of my work experiences and opportunities were also traveling and international adventuring experiences. Something like traveling into town on an errand meant driving through an area I hadn't been to yet. Going to Sydney for a networking visit meant I could explore the city during the weekend. A presentation at campus by visiting professors from Scotland meant an incredible view into the education system abroad while I was abroad myself.

I had to find a path that worked for me. That meant taking full advantage of my weekends, tagging along when invited by a coworker or new friend, and realizing that this journey was personal. That doesn't meant that I have to do what everyone else did. It just means I have to do what I want to give myself the most joy.

It was like a game to find joy in places I didn't expect. There's joy in trying a new coffee shop or visiting Melbourne by myself. There's joy in going to the aquarium or taking in the breeze on the Great Ocean Road. Joy can be hiding in a cafe that you visit with your coworkers. There's joy in each day and beautiful photos all around us, we don't have to be abroad to see it or appreciate it.

I can't begin to put into words how this internship has enhanced my life personally and professionally. There are too many experiences to count. But, if I've learned anything during this trip, it's that we can find joy and work and play all around us. The people, the places, the traditions, the culture, the food, the job, the professional development opportunities, and dare I say it, the meetings, all hold joy. We just have to remember to look for it.

Okay, so maybe BAE is an overused term these days, but I'm rolling with it. I've fallen a bit in love with the city I've called my home in Australia during my time here. Now that I'm semi versed in the world of Ballarat culture, food, and adventures, I've got a list of favorites that I must share.

Restaurant: The Unicorn Ballarat. It's like a hipster utopia full of locally grown foods, cool music, and unique traditions. My second time there a staff member asked me where I was from. (My accent must have given me away or something...) After chatting with him about being from the U.S. he asked if I had any foreign money to put on their wall. They keep a wall of money from travelers who come into the cafe. I was ecstatic because I had a few dollars in my wallet and gleefully handed them over. Now, I've been able to keep a little piece of my heart (and taste buds, let's be real) at the coolest cafe in town.

Coffee and Pastry: Knife Fork Spoon. Hands down the best coffee I had while in Ballarat, okay and pastry too, was from Knife Fork Spoon. It's this cute little place where you can get a killer fancy milkshake and a lovely meal all on one. I came here for the first time with my friend Marie and then I was hooked. My personal favorite was this lovely cupcake I had with my coffee that was as good as it looked.

Store: Typo. This is a chain of stores all around Australia, but I just love the one in the Bridge Mall in Ballarat. The store has cool little decorations, gadgets, and quirky items to give a great indie vibe to any room or apartment. I found a fantastic glitter notebook here and even picked up some memorable souvenirs. If I had a large suitcase, I may have let myself get carried away. Alas, much to my dismay, I do not.

Landmark: Ballarat Railway Station. The station was built initially with a stunning facade in the hopes that it would be a welcoming sight for visitors coming into Ballarat. The blend of historic charm and modern use of buildings is what makes Ballarat, Ballarat. This combination of the past and the present is completely fascinating to me and I just love taking the train to Melbourne or walking by the station and appreciating its beauty before heading in.

Tourist Attraction: Ballarat Heritage Tours. Hands down the best experience I had being a tourist in Ballarat is taking a heritage tour. The tour guide is a local historian (and I'm pretty sure dabbles in theatre based on how engaging and dynamic he was). He paints a picture of how the gold rush, Eureka uprising, and dreams to become a modern metropolis set the stage for the Ballarat that we see today. I lucked out and was the only attendee on my tour and had a splendid time learning about the history of the city and the importance of each building. ​

This is by no means a final or comprehensive list, but it starts to paint a picture of what I have found charming and lovable about Ballarat. I may not have tried every cafe in town (there were just too many options) but I did find ones that were fun for me and had experiences that'll last a lifetime.

The Great Ocean Road was a mystery to be before I came to Australia. I probably had heard of it, or seen photos of some of the famous "must sees" of the road. But I hadn't really put two and two together and realized just where this wonder of the world was.

My coworker (who again I need to recognize for being awesome) was taking her friend to part of the Great Ocean Road and invited me to come along. I was very excited and wanted to put some of the claims of its completely humbling beauty to the test when I saw things with my own eyes!

Well, I can confidently say that I've never seen anything like the Great Ocean Road in my entire life. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. We started the day in Lorne, a town a few hours drive from Ballarat. We then went along the road to Apollo Bay, what I would describe as an idyllic seaside town. During our stop at Apollo Bay we looked around, saw some of the shops and the sites, and grabbed a delicious seafood lunch by the dock. Seriously, if I was writing the script of a movie, I would not have been able to outline a more perfect day.

After lunch we headed towards the 12 Apostles, which is so beautiful that I can't fully describe it. It was once 12 rock formations that stood along the coast looking something along the lines of the 12 historic followers of Jesus. Not all of the formations are still standing, but they still have an incredible view. Unfortunately, we were not the only ones that wanted to see this wonder of nature, and there were a lot of people out at the viewing deck when we were. It almost took a bit of the magic from the experience...(Almost).

We drove through the mountains and past more beautifully calm and haunting ocean views. We then headed away from the ocean and towards a nearby town. A few students had recommended the ice cream shop in a town just a few minutes inland, and I have to agree with their enthusiasm for the town since I'm still dreaming about the apple crumble I had.

Overall, it was a lovely day and an amazing trip. We laughed, ate ourselves silly, and honestly enjoyed the moment. I'm glad for moments like these and the amazing people that help make the dream a reality.

I am blessed to have some fantastic coworkers. They are kind, supportive, inviting, friendly, and really great people. One of my coworkers let me tag along with her and a friend as they went to the Grampians, a national park and mountain range in Victoria. We visited Halls Gap and climbed the Pinnacle.

Now, I'm not like a super intense, nature loving, hiking boot yielding, water bottle backpack sporting kind of gal. Don't get me wrong, I love being outside, but I hadn't explored the outdoorsy side of myself too extensively. That's been a big change I've seen in myself lately is that I WANT to explore the outdoorsy part of myself.

I was excited for the chance to visit Halls Gap because I am always interested in new opportunities and my appreciation for nature and being outdoors has blossomed because of this trip. I really love the beauty of a charming sunrise or the sense of peace you feel when watching the ocean come in. I hadn't realized how much I enjoy or appreciate these things, and maybe that's because I hadn't let myself take time to appreciate them and explore the beauty of the world around me.

Anyways, I joined Chelsea and her friend for a completely stunning hike. We had the perfect weather. We had the best views. The path we took to the Pinnacle was difficult, but so worth each spectacular view. The rolling hills, little towns, mountain ranges, and just perfect weather made the trip amazing. There is such a uniqueness to places like this. Below are some photos of me representing my EIU pride at the Pinnacle and more photos of the entire day!

It's easy to feel at peace with yourself and the world when you can see it from such a clear vantage point. It's easy to feel humbled by the beauty around you and use that moment to put your life into perspective. Much of this journey I've been trying to decide what I want. Not just professionally, but personally. I don't have all the answers yet, but weekend trips like these start to help me formulate them.

After our trip to and from the Pinnacle, or 20,000 steps, we went into the town at the bottom of the mountain. The area of Halls Gap is very popular in summer holidays for camping, hiking, biking and attracts travelers from all around. We stopped in the town for delicious meat pies, ice cream, and to rest our feet.

Before we started the drive back from Halls Gap, we happened across a footy oval that was literally full of kangaroos. I have not been able to capture a photo of a kangaroo yet this trip and I was convinced that I would never see one! Fear not, as I know you were waiting in suspense to find out if I saw one, but I did!

Not only did I see this kangaroo, but I pet it! Below are photos highlighting the stages of emotions I felt meeting the kangaroos. From joy to fear, I felt all the feels. (Photo of me panicking when the kangaroo moved is below...)

The train from Ballarat to Melbourne is an easy and quick way to get to the center of the city, which is great news for me, and I've taken advantage of this short train ride several times. I probably have this romantic and idealistic view of the train, but it's a lot of fun and a nice way to spend a weekend.

During my last trip two trips to Melbourne, I wanted to see more of the city. Last time I was there, I felt like I only saw about a fourth of it. Melbourne is set up like a grid, so it's easy to section it off into areas to explore. The last two trips I think I visited much more of the city, which was exciting!

Some of the highlights of these adventures were my visit to the national gallery where I saw an exhibit on the history of Australian fashion. It was an incredible exhibit. I'm a bit of a nut for fashion (if you can't tell by my Instagram feed...) and I was completely enamored by the exhibit. I could have spent all day looking at the different outfits and reading about the designers who created them. It was phenomenal.

Additionally, I didn't realize there were so many cute alleys and walkways, called arcades, that are like little malls full of shops and restaurants connecting different streets and areas of the city. Having lunch at a little restaurant in a little nook of the city like that was one of the neatest experiences. I'm probably too much a food tourist, but when you have so many options and they're all delicious, how can you not be?! (And a huge thank you to a friend of a friend who showed me around town and made some suggestions on places and arcades to go to next time I'm in town!)

I still have a lot of places and things I'd like to do in Melbourne, and luckily I've got a few more weekends here to check some experiences off the list, but at the same time I think I've seen a good part of the city and grown in my appreciation of it.

For the curious travel enthusiasts, here is a list of places and activities I did on my two recent visits:

Federation Square

ACMI

National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)

Hosier Lane (This is a famous street covered in graffiti and street art)

Treasury Gardens

Fitzroy Gardens (This is where I encountered the model tudor village, which was precious.)

St. Patrick's Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral

Melbourne Museum (They had a great area dedicated to the mind and body. The exhibits were fascinating.)

Exhibition Building

Chinatown

Bourke Street and Collins Street (I just casually drooled over all the shopping options at this point)

Here it is, the final post of my Sydney mini series. The final set of photos and stories of my adventure. I can't decide if I want the series to end or if I'm ready to go on and talk about more parts of my journey. I think it's a mix of both.

Either way, on the fourth day of my trip to Sydney, I was out the door and on my way to St. Mary's Cathedral. I had walked by the cathedral several times before, but I hadn't been there when the lighting was great or seen the building in daylight. I wanted to be there first thing in the morning. The cathedral is an incredible structure. It's beautiful and intricate facade looks like something you'd seen in a European cathedral tour. I later learned that the cathedral spires were not finished until a long time after the building was in use to avoid a tax on completed buildings. The grounds of the building are lovely and you could look around for hours. It's in a perfect location right near Hyde Park and not far from the CBD (Central Business District). The historic building stands out among the modern skyscrapers.

After seeing the cathedral, I hopped on a double decker bus tour of Sydney. I sat on the top, which I soon regretted after I felt the wind. However, the photos I took were worth it, so I guess it all worked out in the end! The bus tour took me to Circle Quay, Central Station, the CBD, Kings Cross, and to many other unique landmarks and areas of the city.

The bus tour ticket I bought included two different tours, so after I finished the city tour I hopped on the bus for the Bondi Beach tour. I was pretty excited for this tour as well since Bondi because is famous for it's beautiful beaches, white sand, and surrounding shopping and neighborhoods. I loved the tour. I had a chance to hop off the bus and I spent my time admiring the beach. After putting my feet in the water to prove I had been to both sides of the Pacific ocean, I hopped back on the bus to see the surrounding suburbs of Bondi Beach. All of the views from these suburbs were breathtaking, and it was hard to want to leave after spending some time in the area!

Alas, I did hop off the bus once I returned to town and decided to check out the Australian Museum. This museum was huge. While I was not a fan of the exhibit on dangerous and deadly Austrian wildlife, I loved the exhibits on dinosaurs and aboriginal australians.

After my trip to the museum, I walked back to the Vivid Festival at Circle Quay to see if I could get a view of the other side of the Sydney Opera House. I loved seeing the light show from the other side of the water and I was able to walk around and explore the other festival activities. I happened upon the modern art museum and spent some time there during the festival.

Thinking that my night was almost over since it was getting late, I made my way back to my hostel. Upon arriving, I met a young woman who had just came from England. She was hoping to see some of the city, and I told her I could tell her a little of what I had learned during my trip. We walked around the city and I showed her some of the landmarks while we made our way to the Vivid Festival. Once we arrived, we explored the area under the bridge and walked near the water. It was great to get to meet her and hear about her adventures as a new traveler. I was happy to share what I had learned about Sydney and excited to hear what things she had planned for her visit. We've since kept and touch and are going to meet up soon before I am back stateside!

My last full day in Sydney was fantastic. I saw all around the city, made a new friend, explored more of the festival, and felt like I had soaked up a ton of experiences and information in just a few short days. I was the ultimate tourist, and I loved it. I went to the museums. I ate delicious street food. I took photos of everything. I challenged myself to keep adventuring and finding things to do. And I had a blast.